Azeitao

Azeitão is a DOP protected, handcrafted, unpasteurised sheep's milk cheese made at the foothills of the Arrábida Mountains in the southwest region of Portugal. It is produced using Cardoon thistle instead of rennet in the demarcated municipalities of Setubal, Palmela and Sesimbra. Azeitão is a cured cheese with a buttery, pudding-like, semi-soft consistency. It is a white or light yellow cheese with few or no holes that is suitable for vegetarians. The taste of Azeitao is sour and salty with continual herbaceousness. The cheese has a minimum curing time of 21 days.